Thread: Paying Royalties?

09/09/10

What is the law regarding using someone's copyrighted music ?
I realize that this may sound naive; face it most of us use canned music? Problems?

What is the likelihood of a lawsuit?:

The venue (bar, restaurant, theater) where you dance or teach is responsible for paying the necessary licensing fees (ASCAP and/or BMI).

Not that they all do, of course, but in most cases you as the individual performer aren't responsible.

If you're uploading clips to youtube, etc. that can be an issue, though.

Also if you were to decide to produce a DVD or make copies of music to give/sell your students or clients. In either of those cases you'd need to bargain with the music producer for a special license.

Search bhuz using 'music royalties' and you'll see plenty threads.

09/09/10
Dear Lauren:

Thank you for your kind advice. Sometimes I REALLY wish I had become an attorney. It seems that there is always something out there to trip one up, legally.

don't need to be a lawyer to figure it all out- ascap, bmi & indipendent artists are generally more than happy to explain things- & yes, it's come up a time or 2 on bhuz- it helps to be specific on what you are using the music for when asking for information, tho- dance class, performing in a restaurant, putting on your own show all have different issues.